Pediatric Posttraumatic Headache: A Review
Head injuries are common in pediatrics, and headaches are the most common complaint following mild head trauma. Although moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries occur less frequently, headaches can complicate recovery. There is currently an intense spotlight on concussion and there has been a corresponding increase in the number of children seeking care for headache after mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. Understanding the natural history of, and recognition of factors that are associated with posttraumatic headache will help providers and families to limit disability and may prompt earlier intervention to ad...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Choe, M. C., Blume, H. K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Computerized Cognitive Testing in the Management of Youth Sports-Related Concussion
Computerized neurocognitive testing has become a growing practice across medical populations, but particularly within sports medicine and the management of sports-related concussion. Although traditional neuropsychological measures are solely administered and interpreted by neuropsychologists, computerized cognitive tests are marketed to and utilized by a wide range of professionals involved in the management of sports-related concussions, many of whom lack specialized psychometric training. Although the benefits of computerized testing allow for many youth athletes to be evaluated quickly, professionals implementing their...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: De Marco, A. P., Broshek, D. K. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Postconcussion Syndrome: A Review
Postconcussion syndrome is a symptom complex with a wide range of somatic, cognitive, sleep, and affective features, and is the most common consequence of traumatic brain injury. Between 14% and 29% of children with mild traumatic brain injury will continue to have postconcussion symptoms at 3 months, but the pathophysiological mechanisms driving this is poorly understood. The relative contribution of injury factors to postconcussion syndrome decreases over time and, instead, premorbid factors become important predictors of symptom persistence by 3 to 6 months postinjury. The differential diagnoses include headache disorde...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Barlow, K. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Early Posttraumatic Seizures in the Pediatric Population
Early posttraumatic seizure is a paramount clinical issue in pediatric traumatic brain injury patients as it is a common occurrence, yet an understudied entity at present. Recent literature recognizes several posttraumatic seizure subtypes based on time of presentation and the underlying pathophysiology: impact, immediate, delayed early, and late/posttraumatic epilepsy. Appropriate classification of pediatric posttraumatic seizure subtypes can be helpful for appropriate management and prognosis. This review will focus on early posttraumatic seizures, and the subtypes of early posttraumatic seizure. Incidence, risk factors,...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Arndt, D. H., Goodkin, H. P., Giza, C. C. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Pathophysiology and Management of Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children
Traumatic brain injury remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Key pathophysiologic processes of traumatic brain injury are initiated by mechanical forces at the time of trauma, followed by complex excitotoxic cascades associated with compromised cerebral autoregulation and progressive edema. Acute care focuses on avoiding secondary insults, including hypoxia, hypotension, and hyperthermia. Children with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury often require intensive monitoring and treatment of multiple parameters, including intracranial pressure, blood pressure, metabolism, and seizures, to minim...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Guilliams, K., Wainwright, M. S. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Metabolic Response of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the pediatric brain presents unique challenges as the complex cascades of metabolic and biochemical responses to TBI are further complicated ongoing maturational changes of the developing brain. TBIs of all severities have been shown to significantly alter metabolism and hormones which impair the ability of the brain to process glucose for cellular energy. Under these conditions, the brain's primary fuel (glucose) becomes a less favorable fuel and the ability of the younger brain to revert to ketone metabolism can an advantage. This review addresses the potential of alternative substrate met...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Prins, M. L., Matsumoto, J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Youths: A Review of Research Since 1990
This report reviews recent research on the epidemiology of traumatic brain injuries among children and youth aged 0 to 20 years. Studies representing populations in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand yield these median estimates of the annual incidence of childhood brain injuries: 691 per 100 000 population treated in emergency departments, 74 per 100 000 treated in hospital, and 9 per 100 000 resulting in death. Males have a higher risk of injury than females: 1.4 times higher among those aged less than 10 years and 2.2 times among those older than 10 years. The leading cause of injury among children aged l...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Thurman, D. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Dedication
(Source: Journal of Child Neurology)
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - December 15, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Blume, H. K., Giza, C. C., Goodkin, H. P. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
JCN Calendar of Events
(Source: Journal of Child Neurology)
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - November 12, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: & lt;I gt;JCN lt;/I gt; Calendar of Events Source Type: research
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
We present data on the clinical characterization of children with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, discussing distinctive phenotypes in children with this comorbidity. Although some distinctive clinical features emerge, this comorbidity also informs convergent pathways in genetic variants that cause synaptic dysfunction. We then move beyond diagnostic categorization and consider the extent to which electrophysiology as a quantitative biomarker may help guide efforts in clinical stratification and outcome prediction. Epilepsy, and atypical electrophysiological patterns, in autism spectrum disorder may inform the defin...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - November 12, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Jeste, S. S., Tuchman, R. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Cerebellar Development and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Approximately 50% of patients with the genetic disease tuberous sclerosis complex present with autism spectrum disorder. Although a number of studies have investigated the link between autism and tuberous sclerosis complex, the etiology of autism spectrum disorder in these patients remains unclear. Abnormal cerebellar function during critical phases of development could disrupt functional processes in the brain, leading to development of autistic features. Accordingly, the authors review the potential role of cerebellar dysfunction in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex. The authors a...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - November 12, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Sundberg, M., Sahin, M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The Influence of Microdeletions and Microduplications of 16p11.2 on Global Transcription Profiles
Copy number variants (CNVs) of a 600 kb region on 16p11.2 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and changes in brain volume. The authors hypothesize that abnormal brain development associated with this CNV can be attributed to changes in transcriptional regulation. The authors determined the effects of 16p11.2 dosage on gene expression by transcription profiling of lymphoblast cell lines derived from 6 microdeletion carriers, 15 microduplication carriers and 15 controls. Gene dosage had a significant influence on the transcript abundance of a majority (20/34) of genes within the CNV region. In addition, a limite...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - November 12, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Kusenda, M., Vacic, V., Malhotra, D., Rodgers, L., Pavon, K., Meth, J., Kumar, R. A., Christian, S. L., Peeters, H., Cho, S. S., Addington, A., Rapoport, J. L., Sebat, J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Specific Regional and Age-Related Small Noncoding RNA Expression Patterns Within Superior Temporal Gyrus of Typical Human Brains Are Less Distinct in Autism Brains
This study demonstrates alterations in superior temporal sulcus in ASD, a region implicated in social impairment, and is the first to demonstrate molecular alterations in the primary auditory cortex. (Source: Journal of Child Neurology)
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - November 12, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Stamova, B., Ander, B. P., Barger, N., Sharp, F. R., Schumann, C. M. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Early Infant Development and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Conclusion:
Substantial progress in characterizing early developmental trajectories as well as the identification of specific behavioral markers has aided early detection. Work remains to ensure that research findings are translated into clinical practice for uptake in the health care system. (Source: Journal of Child Neurology)
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - November 12, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Sacrey, L.-A. R., Bennett, J. A., Zwaigenbaum, L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Recent Advances in Understanding and Managing Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism spectrum disorder in children is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties with social communication and behavior. Growing scientific evidence in addition to clinical practice has led the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to categorize several disorders into the broader category of autism spectrum disorder. As more is learned about how autism spectrum disorder manifests, progress has been made toward better clinical management including earlier diagnosis, care, and when specific interventions are required. The 2014 Neurobiology of Disease in Children symposium,...
Source: Journal of Child Neurology - November 12, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Germain, B., Eppinger, M. A., Mostofsky, S. H., DiCicco-Bloom, E., Maria, B. L. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
